BIFF kicks off with star-studded ceremony

The 20th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) kicked off on Thursday night with a star-studded red carpet, fireworks and the world premiere of Indian film Zubaan.

Busan Mayor Suh Byung-su, who is also the festival’s organising committee chief, officially opened the festival’s 20th edition. “There have been many ups and downs, but despite that, because of all the hard work from people in the film industry, film fans and Busan citizens, the Busan festival hasn’t just become Asia’s major festival, but it’s on the way to becoming a world class film festival,” Suh said.

The ceremony was hosted by one of South Korea’s top actors Song Kang-ho (Snowpiercer) and star of award-winning film Osama, Marina Golbahari. The Afghanistan actress became the second non-Korean in BIFF’s history to host the ceremony after Chinese actress Tang Wei in 2012.

Following the opening ceremony, Mozez Singh’s Zubaan received its world premiere. Starring Vicky Kaushal and Sarah Jane Dias, the film follows a young man who searches for the real values in life and his true self.

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